The sub-level transit tunnels beneath the Swiss villa were a marvel of subterranean engineering, carved directly into the ancient gneiss rock of the alpine roots. Here, far below the kinetic chaos of Zeth’s breaching teams, the air was perfectly static, smelling faintly of dry lithium batteries and the crisp, filtered oxygen of an independent life-support system. A single, sleek mag-rail shuttle sat idling on a carbon-fiber track, its digital display pulsing a soft, calm blue against the dark stone walls.
Casel walked with a swift, measured elegance, her high-fashion charcoal silk suit rustling softly in the narrow corridor. In her arms, Liam shifted slightly, his tiny hand brushing against her lapel before he settled back into a deep, untroubled sleep. He remained entirely thriving, unto
